Barbara Jones has her orange on and is working on verse two of 'Rocky Top'

By Meghan Davis meghan.davis@knoxnews.com 865-342-6369

4:00 PM, Aug 24, 2013

Barbara Jones, wife of UT football coach Butch Jones, in the living room of their West Knoxville home. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL)

The family pool at the home of Barbara and Butch Jones

photos by MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL
Barbara Jones, wife of University of Tennessee football coach Butch Jones, holds a trophy from the 2011 Liberty Bowl in front of her husband's trophy case in their West Knoxville home.

The name Butch Jones has not fallen on deaf ears since he was selected as the University of Tennessee’s 24th head football coach on Dec. 7, 2012. Jones has been all the buzz around Knoxville and, as football season kicks off Saturday, the buzz can only be expected to grow. But what about Mrs. Butch Jones? Who is the first lady of Tennessee football? Her name is Barbara Jones, and she has a closet full of orange and is ready to sing “Rocky Top.”

Barbara Jones married into a love for football. She grew up in Michigan where she played basketball and came from a family of staunch hoop supporters. Her passion for football began at Ferris State College when she shared a class and eventually a hallway conversation with then 20-year-old Butch Jones. Butch was wearing a letterman jacket with his real name, Lyle, though she found out quickly that he goes by his nickname given to him by his father. They dated for nine months before getting married; he was 24, she was 19. That was 21 years ago.

It has been football ever since. Barbara has been with Butch throughout all of his coaching gigs, and the two have three boys together, Alex, 16, Adam, 12, Andrew, 6.

Barbara answered some questions about her new life in Knoxville and living with Butch.

Q: What has the transition to Knoxville been like?

It has been our smoothest transition thus far. It has been very easy. Knoxville and the people have been great, the passion and the excitement have been what we have loved most about being here.

Q: How are you feeling about the impending kickoff?

I remember the countdown when we were at 99 days; it is hard to believe that it is in the final stretch. I am really excited, but I am starting to get really nervous, too. We know that this is a learning process, and we expect that there may be bumps in the road, but we are ready for it.

Q: What does your role look like as the wife of a football coach?

I love the supporting role, I really enjoy it. I love to listen. I try to limit the amount of advice or opinions I offer to Butch and instead just listen to him and try to support him in that way. I am here to help however I can. I love being able to be at practice, and I try to support the staff and players where I am needed. I am in the process of trying to learn all of the players’ names right now.

Q: What do you plan on wearing to the first game?

I have a few outfits I am deciding between right now. I am slowly starting to fill my closet with orange, and of course Butch’s is, too. Our house is filled with it. Friends will send me pictures of orange things they find all the time.

Q: What is your favorite tailgate recipe?

Rotel dip. Every week, I make two dips for players who have worked especially hard for them to take home. The players love it.

Q: What is your favorite memory of the coaching journey you have taken with Butch?

My favorite thing is growing bonds, going to weddings, old players coming to visit. Those are the kinds of things I love about his coaching. I also love watching my husband and his players succeed after watching how hard they have worked. Some of my favorite memories have been the victories when we were the underdog, which we have been a lot.

Q: Does your family have any game day traditions?

Our most consistent tradition is to have a family prayer before every game. We always do that.

Q: When not watching football, what are the Joneses doing?

We just hang out and enjoy being together. We don’t get to spend a lot of time together so when we do, you can usually find us at the pool. That is where Butch likes to relax.

Q: So do you have “Rocky Top” memorized yet?

I knew you were going to ask me that...my kids have a CD that they play all the time, and it is Butch’s ringtone, so I have the first verse down.